"We hit on the idea of teaming up with the Jaipur Literary Festival because we wanted to create something different, something that was vibrant with plenty of colour and movement. Jaipur is our sister festival through the Word Alliance (of writers festivals).

"We have some fascinating writers and are trying to represent the diversity of writers operating in India today. There will be lots of perspectives – it's a very diverse and eclectic country."

Shashi Tharoor, who was guest at MWF in 1994, will give the opening address on the state of India today. He has served as an MP in the Indian lower house since 2009 and was a government minister in the administration of then prime minister Manmohan Singh. Tharoor had a 29-year career at the UN, eventually becoming an under-secretary general.

Among his novels are The Great Indian Novel, and Show Business. His most recent book, however, is An Era of Darkness, a highly critical account of the motives and behaviour of the British in India. He has also written books about cricket, the first prime minister of India, Jawaharlal Nehru, writers and foreign policy.

"He is a great thinker," Dempster, said "and never shy about expressing his opinions."